\n Ryan Seacrest and Pat Sajak<\/span> Shutterstock; ABC<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Ryan Seacrest<\/strong><\/a> could potentially replace Pat Sajak<\/strong><\/a> on Wheel of Fortune<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Shortly after breaking the news of Sajak\u2019s departure, Bloomberg<\/em> reported that Seacrest, 48, is in talks to take over. \u201cSome sources say he\u2019s the frontrunner. Others say he is just one of many interested,\u201d Bloomberg reporter Lucas Shaw<\/strong> tweeted on Monday, June 12.<\/p>\n After more than 40 years on Wheel of Fortune<\/em>, Sajak, 76, confirmed his plans to move on<\/a> from the NBC series. \u201cWell, the time has come,\u201d the Chicago native said in a statement to Bloomberg News on Monday. \u201cI\u2019ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It\u2019s been a wonderful ride, and I\u2019ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.\u201d<\/p>\n Sajak previously hinted at his plans to depart<\/a> the game show, telling Entertainment Tonight<\/em> in September 2022, \u201cWe\u2019re getting near the end. We\u2019re not gonna do this for another 40 years. The end is near.\u201d<\/p>\n The TV personality made his debut on Wheel of Fortune<\/em> in 1981, which has made him the longest-running host<\/a>. Seacrest, for his part, has made a name for himself in front of the cameras<\/a> on shows such as American Idol<\/em> and Dick Clark\u2019s New Year\u2019s Rockin\u2019 Eve<\/em>.<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Seacrest announced his plans to step down from Live with Kelly and Ryan<\/em><\/a> after six years. \u201cKelly [Ripa]<\/strong><\/a> and I have some news here. This is something that she and I have been talking about for a long time and it was a tough, tough decision,\u201d he explained in a February episode. \u201cLast year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as cohost with Kelly here on Live \u200bWith Kelly and Ryan, which is bittersweet.\u201d<\/p>\n The Georgia native said goodbye to the ABC series with an emotional final episode<\/a> two months later. \u201cI want you all to know, it\u2019s not lost on me how fortunate I am. Fortunate to have had this seat next to you, Kel, for six years. You\u2019re incompatible. There\u2019s no one like you,\u201d he said during his April departure. \u201cI\u2019ve spent my entire career talking \u2026 but today, it\u2019s hard to put into words how deeply I\u2019ve appreciated being here and being with you, being invited into your homes every day to try to deliver a smile or a laugh or two. I\u2019m honored to be a part of this family.\u201d<\/p>\n Seacrest was subsequently replaced by Ripa\u2019s husband, Mark Consuelos<\/strong><\/a>, and the show was renamed Live With Kelly and Mark<\/em>. The American Idol<\/em> host later weighed in on Consuelos\u2019 first days on screen<\/a> following his exit.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been watching Kelly and Mark and they\u2019re doing great. I hope to see them and hang out soon in the wild, as Kelly would say,\u201d Seacrest told E! News<\/em> in April. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to not have to get on an airplane in 20 minutes to get back. I miss Kelly, I love her so much.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Ryan](\"https:\/\/www.usmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Ryan-Seacrest-Reportedly-in-Talks-to-Replace-Pat-Sajak-on-Wheel-of-Fortune-2.jpg?w=700&quality=86&strip=all\")
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\n Pat Sajak<\/span> ABC\/Christopher Willard<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n